Photo by Nigel Roddis/Getty Images
Photo by Nigel Roddis/Getty Images
Steve Cooper’s promotion-winning Nottingham Forest squad is still adored by fans.
When Steve Cooper joined Nottingham Forest, they were sitting bottom of the Championship table towards the end of September 2021.
Promotion wasn’t even a consideration at that point, but Cooper completely transformed the fortunes at the City Ground and led them to a fourth-placed finish.
Forest went on to gain promotion via the play-offs, beating Carlos Corberan’s Huddersfield Town in the final at Wembley, ending a 23-year absence from the top flight.
Every single player in the squad wrote their names in Forest folklore, and supporters have often tracked their careers since leaving.
One member of that group is now absolutely tearing it up overseas, netting 10 goals in his last nine games.
Nashville striker Sam Surridge.
Photo by Nashville SC/MLS via Getty Images
Former Nottingham Forest forward Sam Surridge can’t stop scoring
Sam Surridge was a January arrival during the 2021/22 campaign and became a really important player for Cooper.
Surridge netted eight goals in 18 outings but never really got going in the Premier League the following year.
Surridge ended up joining MLS side Nashville during the summer of 2023 and he’s enjoyed a prolific two-year stint in the US.
The new season started in February and the former Forest man has already scored 12 goals, with 10 of those coming in his last nine games.
The 26-year-old netted four in one game against Chicago back in April, so it wouldn’t at all be surprising to see him earn a move back to Europe soon.
Surridge is outscoring Lionel Messi
At the moment, Surridge is actually outscoring Lionel Messi in the MLS, with the Argentine great two behind his tally.
The Englishman is unquestionably Nashville’s talisman and his teammate Daniel Lovitz was recently full of praise for him.
“Obviously, once the goals start coming, he’s a really dangerous guy to play against. It’s something that we’ve found out; throughout his time here, and having him be so prolific is so important to free up space for other guys, but he’s such a killer in the most important moments.
“That’s what (you would) want for your No. 9. He’s a pleasure to play with.”